moved for leave to introduce Bill C-401, an act to amend the Broadcasting Act (broadcasting policy for Canada).
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to introduce my private member's bill entitled an act to amend the Broadcasting Act (broadcasting policy for Canada).
The bill would change the mandate of the CBC to include in its responsibilities the duty to "contribute to the development of national unity and provide for a continuing expression of Canadian identity". This obligation was originally included in the CBC mandate but was removed by the previous government.
I strongly believe that the CBC is a national institution which helps more than any other to foster understanding among Cana-
dians which in turn contributes to the development of national unity. I think its mandate should support this fact.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)